9.8.23

We are excited to introduce Dr. Bertie Greer as the next Rist Family Dean of the Manning School of Business!

Dr. Greer has a wealth of experience and expertise as a scholar and researcher, as well as an extensive background in the private sector. She served in engineering and production supervisor roles at Ford Motor Company and Chrysler/Jeep-Eagle, specializing in project management, process improvement, buyer-supplier relationships, manufacturing, and quality management. Dr. Greer has authored numerous articles in leading academic publications on global supply chain issues, and trained and consulted with local businesses in the areas of supply chain, inventory management, manufacturing resource planning and diversity.

As the new Dean, Dr. Greer will lead the Manning School of Business in fostering an innovative and inclusive learning environment, strengthening industry partnerships, and ensuring that our graduates are well-equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing global marketplace. Dr. Greer’s visionary leadership will further strengthen the Manning School of Business’ position as a premier institution for business education.

“I am excited to embark on this journey, working with talented faculty, staff, students, strong leadership and external stakeholders to create opportunities and lead the Manning School of Business into the future,” she said. “Together we’ll continue to develop innovative programs, degrees, and outcomes to help students realize their dreams and ensure the Manning School of Business achieves new heights.”

Dr. Greer will join UMass Lowell on November 1. Dr. Greer’s appointment follows the departure of Dr. Sandra Richtermeyer, who became Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost at Rutgers University-Camden in June.

Dr. Steven Tello, Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies and a faculty member of the Manning School of Business, is serving as interim Dean until Dr. Greer’s arrival.

First-year and incoming transfer students at the Manning School of Business were celebrated on September 5 at the annual Manning Meet & Greet held in the Colella Atrium of the Pulichino Tong Business Center. Interim Dean Steve Tello, along with Manning faculty, staff, and student leaders, greeted students and answered questions about what the students can expect in their first year. Students visited faculty in their concentrations to learn more about their upcoming courses, and everyone who attended received a specially-designed Manning t-shirt! It was a great opportunity for new students to build campus connections as they start their exciting academic experience.

The Manning School of Business hosted a Ph.D. Student Orientation and Reception on August 30, where 14 new doctoral students were welcomed into our academic community. Organized by Ph.D. Program Director Tony Gao, the event featured two engaging panel discussions featuring faculty members and existing doctoral students. The panels were followed by a networking reception. It was a memorable and inspiring day for all as the doctoral students gained valuable insights into the innovative Ph.D. program at the Manning School of Business.

Interim Dean Steve Tello, Associate Dean Yi Yang, and a distinguished group of faculty were in attendance, including: Michael Ciuchta (Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation), Huiqi Gan (incoming Accounting Ph.D. concentration coordinator), Ann Kronrod (Entrepreneurship & Marketing Ph.D. concentrations coordinator), Cindy Liu (Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation), Tamara MontagSmit (Management), Asil Oztekin (Decision Sciences Ph.D. concentration coordinator), Adam Roebuck (Management), SangHyun Suh (former Accounting Ph.D. concentration coordinator), and Julie Zhang (OIS Department Chair).

The Manning School of Business Ph.D. program has now reached a total enrollment of 51 doctoral students, a testament to its growth and success since its launch in 2013. Over the past decade, more than twenty Ph.D. graduates have secured faculty positions in prestigious AACSB-accredited schools both in the United States and overseas. These remarkable successes in academic placements demonstrate the quality of education and mentorship provided by our dedicated faculty, and bring recognition to the Manning School.

As part of the Manning School of Business's commitment to fostering experiential learning and global engagement, a group of students embarked on an unforgettable trip to Panama this past July. The trip was funded thanks to the support and contributions from the Manning School of Business Advisory Board, and organized through Global Brigades, a nonprofit health and sustainable development organization.

The students served as consultants for local small businesses, including a community bank, a poultry farm, and local artisans. The group had the opportunity to put their classroom learning into practice, immersing themselves in a client-oriented consulting experience. Dr. Amit Deokar, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, accompanied the students on the trip. “The students were learning by doing while also making an impact, which was amazing,” Deokar said.

Participating students were Jhostin Baez, Fidel Castro, Iain Gillies, Enitsamar Gonzalez, Jason McKeon, Angel Molekunnel, Lorenzo Oliveira, Corey Perez, Danny Tran, and Melody Veloz. This immersive experience not only allowed the group to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world context, but also ignited a sense of global citizenship which will influence their future careers. You can learn more about this student experience in an article by UMass Lowell Senior Writer Ed Brennen: Manning Students Serve as Small Business Consultants in Panama (7/28/23).

Dr. Cassandra Rohland, Associate Teaching Professor, Accounting, was the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Service Award (Public Interest Section) at the American Accounting Association (AAA) Annual Meeting in Denver. Dr. Rohland also served as the Co-Chair of the Ethics Research Symposium on August 6, which occured in conjunction with the AAA annual meeting. Dr. Patrick Kelly, President of the Public Interest Section, presented the award.

Dr. Catherine Rymsha, Visiting Faculty Lecturer, Management, was a featured leadership expert on "Nightside With Dan Rhea," a news and discussion broadcast on WBZ Boston radio. On the September 1 episode of Nightside (starting at 9:34 of the recording), Dr. Rymsha provided insights on workplace issues related to an aging labor force, including the positive and negative impacts on organizations.

Dr. Sunny Li Sun, Associate Professor, Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, was awarded the Alan Rugman Fellowship for 2023-2024 academic year and will visit the Dunning Centre for International Business, University of Reading (United Kingdom), on his sabbatical leave. Dr. Sun will conduct a multi-level analysis to investigate how gender issues are relevant to multinational enterprises' sustainable transition and product market competition.

marylou_kelly@uml.edu

The Manning School of Business is proud to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).